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Join us for an information session on Wednesday, July 27 at 7 p.m. at Three Ranges Brewery with the world renowned geophysics expert Dr. Martyn Unsworth. Dr. Unsworth and his team will be in Valemount this week conducting a magnetotelluric (MT) survey.This MT survey uses a remote and passive sensing technique to create an image of the rocks of the Rocky Mountain Trench. Dr. Unsworth will be giving attendees an overview of the geophysical survey including how it works, what we hope to discover, and what it means for the Canoe Reach geothermal project.Enjoy a pint with us, we hope to see you there!If you would like to read up more on Dr. Unsworth and his work you can view his profile here <http://www.fieldoffice.ualberta.ca/AboutUs/Featured%20Researchers/Martyn%20Unsworth.aspx

July 25, 2016 | Terry Dawes | CanTech LetterCalgary-based Borealis Geopower has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Valemount Community Forest to develop a geothermal industrial park in Valemount.According to the Rocky Mountain Goat, the Valemount Community Forest’s Cedarside property sits outside Valemount’s perimeter, meaning that it is zoned as M3 land and only needs a building permit to proceed with the development of a geopark, while the project itself would likely be run by the Community Forest or Valemount Geothermal Society (VGS).Last month, non-profit Geoscience B.C. released its “Direct-Use Geothermal Roadmap”, a comprehensive guide for communities and businesses to help evaluate and develop local geothermal energy projects to stimulate economic development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Vice president of energy for Geoscience B.C. Carlos Salas told the Rocky Mountain Goat that Valemount is one of the top contenders among 63 “stand-out” communities with geothermal potential, adding, “I mean this in the nicest way possible. If Surrey can do it, anywhere in B.C. can do it.”Click here for the link to the full article.

July 20, 2016 | Rocky Mountain News Goat | Evan MatthewsMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the proposed geothermal industrial park in Valemount now exists between Borealis Geopower and the Valemount Community Forest.Alison Thompson, a principal with Borealis Geopower — also the chair and co-founder of the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association — says the Community Forest’s interest in the Cedarside property is what makes the site so attractive.Borealis Geopower is a company working toward enabling geothermal power and heat production as a major player in the Canadian energy market, according to its website.“We’re trying to work with the players involved to get something off the ground (at Cedarside),” says Thompson. “We know Valemount is an ideal geothermal location.”In an interview with Silvio Gislimberti, Valemount’s economic development officer, The Goat was told that MOUs are an indication of where things are going, but the agreement is subject to change.Thompson shared the thought, as she acknowledges the MOU as an indication, but added it’s a legally binding document and a formal agreement.However, neither would not elaborate on what the MOU actually outlines, only saying, “It’s a private document between two companies.”What would the ownership breakdown between Borealis and the Village of Valemount actually look like?Carlos Salas, vice president of energy for Geoscience B.C., says ownership of geothermal energy is the same as any other resource.Ownership of the resource would depend on who has the rights, Salas says, and ownership of those rights would be outlined on the development permit and tenure system.However, the Cedarside property sits outside the village’s perimeter, which means any development permit must be applied for through the regional district, according to Valemount’s CAO, Mark Macneill.Click here to read the full article on the Rocky Mountain News Goat website.

July 21, 2016 | Rocky Mountain News Goat | Evan MatthewsValemount is an ideal candidate for direct-use geothermal energy, according to a report released by Geoscience B.C. last week, as it suggests the Village of Valemount is at an advanced stage in planning for direct-use geothermal heat.Geoscience B.C. is a non-profit organization that receives funding from the provincial government, and its mandate it to attract mineral, oil and gas investment to B.C., its website reads.The report states, “Very few communities in B.C. have considered direct-use geothermal energy,” but Valemount is an exception.“Valemount is one of the most progressive communities when it comes to geothermal… It is the poster child,” says Carlos Salas, vice president of energy for Geoscience B.C.“I’m hoping other communities look (here) for advice on how to move forward,” he says.The study shows 63 “stand-out” communities with geothermal potential —Valemount sits atop that list, as the report states many times — but Salas says a community doesn’t need ideal geothermal conditions to make use of it.Surrey, B.C., powers its city hall and the adjacent buildings with direct-use geothermal energy in spite being located in a sub-optimum geothermal area, Salas says.“I mean this in the nicest way possible,” says Salas. “If Surrey can do it, anywhere in B.C. can do it.”Geothermal shouldn’t be categorically dismissed regardless of area, Salas says, as it has its applications — especially in Valemount — an optimum geothermal area.Valemount has outlined using direct-use geothermal as an effective way of cutting greenhouse emissions, the report says, and the Village of Valemount has expressed interest in doing pilot projects.Some of the direct-use applications Valemount has been exploring — aside from heating residential and commercial spaces — include mushroom drying, use of forest products and operation of greenhouses, according to the report.“Valemount is working along a great path… and probably as close as any community to obtaining geothermal energy,” says Salas. “Borealis is an expert in the field.”One of the more prominent projects being proposed in Valemount is the geothermal industrial park, and is in the planning stages with Borealis Geopower, Valemount Community Forest (VCF), the Valemount Geothermal Society (VGS), the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George and the Village of Valemount.The role of each aforementioned organization in the proposed industrial park remain is uncertain.“We know Valemount is an ideal geothermal location,” says Alison Thompson, a Principal with Borealis. “It’s about everyone coming and working together for a shared idea.”Borealis Geopower is an energy developer, a company working toward enabling geothermal power and heat production as a major player in the Canadian energy market, according to its website.Korie Marshall, president of the VGS, says she agrees with Thompson, and the players all need to come together.“VCF, the village nor the people who live here have the capacity, knowledge or skills to do what Borealis can do,” says Marshall. “They’ve been researching the heat… and mapping it out.”

Written by Treena Hein | May 11, 2016 | Greenhouse CanadaJune 2016 – In our August edition last year we presented an overview of a few of the new alternative energy projects across the country. This year, we have more exciting news to share, along with some recent updates.Let’s start with the updates.Borealis Geopower has now officially partnered with the Village of Valemount, B.C., and the Valemount Community Forest (VCF) to develop a unique renewable energy eco-park that will include greenhouses. Energy from the site, one of Canada’s best-known geothermal hot spots, will be harnessed for heat and potentially also electricity generation.The location is a 240-acre brownfield site south of the village, recently purchased by VCF. In addition to greenhouses, the “Geo-Park” will feature a brewery, an aquaculture facility and projects relating to eco-tourism and forestry.Next we go to Policella Farms in Kingsville, Ontario, where Rick Policella provides an update on their 200 kW solar energy project, installed three years ago. Policella Farms is a fourth generation, family-owned grower, packer and shipper of premium greenhouse tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and other specialty products, with another facility in nearby Detroit.The firm’s solar project includes about 1,050 panels, with 20 invertors that allow them to perform at peak capacity even on days with low light levels. Policella says the system is working well and there have been no headaches. “We did our research ahead of time,” he notes. “We expect to achieve our return on investment within the next two years.” – See more at: http://www.greenhousecanada.com/energy/alternative-fuels/getting-energized-31100#sthash.YBLh68lb.dpufPlease click here to read the full article on the Greenhouse Canada website.